NFL roundup: Latest league news from Thursday, Sept. 30

Lamar Jackson's Wednesday absence now has an explanation.

Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman told reporters Thursday that his QB is dealing with a back issue and should be fine for Week 4.

"I don't think it's anything serious," Roman said, via ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "But we're just going to have to kind of wait and see. I think he's going to be in good shape. We'll wait and see."

Jackson has already missed practice for multiple reasons this season, including a stay on the reserve/COVID-19 list before the start of the season, and an unrelated illness last week. This is the first time he's missed practice during the regular season due to an injury.

The Ravens (2-1) have won two straight since falling to the Raiders in overtime in Week 1. They'll look to keep their momentum going against the 3-0 Broncos on Sunday.

Jackson was listed as a DNP on Thursday, along with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), defensive end Derek Wolfe (back/hip) and safety DeShon Elliott (quad).

Injuries/COVID-19

• Jacksonville Jaguars receiver D.J. Chark suffered a fractured ankle on the first drive of Thursday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals and is out indefinitely, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Offensive lineman A.J. Cann was ruled out after suffering a knee injury in the second quarter that head coach Urban Meyer said was an MCL injury. Pass rusher Lerentee McCray did not return after suffering a hamstring injury.
• Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was on the sideline for the final drive of his team's Thursday night win with what head coach Zac Taylor said was a minor ankle injury.
• Tennessee Titans wide receivers Julio Jones and A.J. Brown sat out practice again because of hamstring injuries. Their availability for Sunday versus the Jets is not promising, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Rookie linebacker Rashad Weaver underwent surgery Thursday to repair a broken fibula, per Rapoport. The fourth-round pick will miss the remainder of the 2021 season. Linebacker Bud Dupree (knee) and cornerback Caleb Farley (shoulder) also did not practice, but offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (toe) was a full participant a day after not practicing.
• New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy (calf) and offensive tackle Terron Armstead (elbow) did not practice Thursday, nor did linebacker Demario Davis due to a personal reason.
• The Baltimore Ravens upgraded offensive tackle Danny Villanueva (knee) and linebacker Pernell McPhee (shoulder) to limited. Both were DNP on Wednesday. Cornerback Tavon Young (knee) practiced in full after missing yesterday's practice.
• New York Giants wide receivers Sterling Shepard (hamstring) and Darius Slayton (hamstring) are not expected to be available Sunday versus the Saints, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. Nothing is official for the pair, but neither practiced Thursday as they face an uphill battle to play in Week 4, Garafolo added. Running back Saquon Barkley (knee) and wide receiver Kenny Golladay (hip) were each limited participants on Thursday.
• Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) returned to practice Thursday. Asked if Jacobs will play this week, coach Jon Gruden told reporters, "We'll see. I'd say he's questionable at the moment." The Raiders officially listed Jacobs as limited, along with cornerbacks Nate Hobbs (shoulder) and Trayvon Mullen (shoulder) and defensive end Solomon Thomas (knee).
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Antonio Brown was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list. Tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs) did not practice for a second day in a row, nor did defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder).
• New England Patriots kicker Nick Folk (left knee), offensive tackle Trent Brown (calf) and linebacker Kyle Van Noy (groin) were limited participants in practice.
• Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack (foot) and defensive back Tashaun Gipson (hamstring) did not practice for the second day in a row. Quarterback Andy Dalton (knee) and wide receiver Darnell Mooney (groin) remained limited.
• Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (ankle) and linebacker Anthony Barr (knee) remained limited in practice. Kicker Greg Joseph (hip) and tight end Tyler Conklin (glute/elbow) were also limited. Safety Xavier Woods (hamstring), linebacker Eric Kendricks (hip) and safety Harrison Hand (hamstring) were all full-go.
• Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, while receiver Russell Gage (ankle) did not practice.
• The Cincinnati Bengals placed tight end Thaddeus Moss (head/neck) on injured reserve.
• Detroit Lions edge rusher Trey Flowers (shoulder/knee) sat out practice again, while running back D'Andre Swift (groin) was limited.
• Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown (groin), defensive end Frank Clark (hamstring), defensive end Chris Jones (wrist) and cornerback Charvarius Ward (quad) were again limited in practice. Cornerback Rashad Fenton (concussion) remained out.
• The Cleveland Browns placed cornerback Tim Harris on the practice squad/COVID-19 list.
• New York Jets wide receivers Elijah Moore (concussion) and Jeff Smith (concussion) did not practice Thursday.
• Dallas Cowboys defensive ends Randy Gregory (knee) and Dorance Armstrong (ankle) did not practice Thursday.
• Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (back) returned to practice and was a full participant.
• The Philadelphia Eagles are likely to be without offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (knee) for a second straight week, Garafolo reported. The initial timeline for Mailata to miss was two to four weeks, so this is expected, Garafolo added.
• Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (ankle), running back Jonathan Taylor (knee) and quarterback Carson Wentz (ankles) were limited at practice on Thursday. Offensive lineman Quenton Nelson (ankle/knee) and defensive end Kwity Paye (hamstring) did not practice.
• Houston Texans wide receiver Danny Amendola (thigh) did not practice for the second straight day, while defensive back Justin Reid (knee) remained limited. Defensive back Terrance Mitchell (concussion/illness) returned as a limited participant.
• The Los Angeles Chargers listed receiver Keenan Allen (ankle), safety Derwin James (toe/shoulder), cornerback Chris Harris (shoulder) and defensive lineman Justin Jones (calf) as limited practice participants.
• Seattle Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett (hip) did not practice after being limited Wednesday; WR DK Metcalf (foot) was limited. Linebacker Kerry Hyder (concussion) practiced in full after missing Wednesday. Defensive tackle Poona Ford (ankle/shoulder) and LB Benson Mayowa (neck) were limited after practicing in full Wed.
• The Green Bay Packers listed running backs Aaron Jones (ankle) and AJ Dillon (back), and linebacker Krys Barnes (concussion) as limited. Cornerback Kevin King (concussion) and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (hamstring) missed a second day of practice.
• San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (calf), and cornerbacks Josh Norman (chest) and K'Waun Williams (calf) missed practice for a second consecutive day.
• Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd (ankle) was a full participant after being limited Wed. Running back Darrell Henderson (ribs) remained limited.
• Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (ribs/lower leg) was again listed as limited. Nose tackle Mike Purcell (knee) was upgraded from limited to full.
• The Arizona Cardinals listed receiver DeAndre Hopkins (ribs) as a full participant; he was limited Wed. Guard Justin Pugh (back) remained out.

Roster signings

• The Tennessee Titans signed punter Johnny Townsend. Townsend could be called on to play in place of Brett Kern, who is dealing with a groin injury.
• The Cleveland Browns signed cornerback Bryan Mills to their practice squad.
• The Arizona Cardinals signed offensive lineman Zack Johnson to the practice squad.
• The Cincinnati Bengals elevated safety Trayvon Henderson from the practice squad.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars elevated kicker Matthew Wright, who will kick tonight against the Cincinnati Bengals, and receiver Tavon Austin.
• The Seattle Seahawks added receiver Phillip Dorsett and quarterback Jake Luton to the practice squad.

Roster cuts

• The Houston Texans waived kicker Joey Slye.
• The Arizona Cardinals waived defensive back Luq Barcoo.